Rakuten: The Eagles are 4-6 over their last ten games. … Norimoto is 0-5 with a 4.40 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in seven starts since his last win on August 6. He is 1-4 with a 2.65 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in five starts against the Fighters this year.

Nippon Ham: The Fighters are 7-3 over their last ten games. … Masui is 6-0 with a 0.99 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in six starts since his last loss on August 11. He is 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in three starts against the Eagles this season. … Nishikawa extended his hitting streak to ten games (14-for-38). … K. Kondo notched his fifth modasho of the year.